#1 Arizona vs. #12 Alabama Picks and Predictions: C.M. Newton Classic in Birmingham

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Labaron Philon leads the Tide as they host the No. 1 team in the country tonight in Birmingham - Arizona Alabama Picks

Before anyone sits down to watch this game, I encourage you to do some stretching. It’s going to be a workout just keeping up with these two teams going back and forth on the court as we have two of the fastest teams in the nation going head to head. The top ranked Arizona Wildcats face the No. 12 Alabama Crimson Tide in Birmingham, so it’s not technically a home game. However, it certainly might feel like it tonight. Can Nate Oats’ team handle the best squad in the country? Let’s find out with our favorite picks.

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#1 Arizona Wildcats vs. #12 Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA Basketball Insights

Nate Oats and the Tide take on the top ranked Wildcats tonight - Arizona Alabama Picks

Nate Oats and the Tide take on the top ranked Wildcats tonight

Arizona has been absolutely perfect, and have a great resume so far as well. The Wildcats are 8-0 with four ranked wins on their schedule already. They took down the No. 3 defending national champion Florida Gators in their season opener, followed by back to back four point wins over No. 15 UCLA in a neutral site in Los Angeles, and against No. 3 UConn in Storrs. That was a huge upset win for the Cats. They are coming off beating the No. 20 Auburn Tigers by nearly 30 points at home, but will they be able to get up for this game in what will feel like a road environment?

Alabama has a couple forgivable losses. They were beat by Purdue by seven at home, but the Boilermakers are really good. They also lost to Gonzaga by 10 in their Player’s Era Festival opener, but the Zags are also one of the best teams in the country. They’ve scored at least 90 points in all seven of their wins, putting up 80 and 85 in their two losses. Will they be able to put the ball in the hoop enough to beat the top team in the country?

Matchup Information – Arizona vs. Alabama – December 13

  • Venue & Location: Legacy Arena (Birmingham, AL)
  • Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
  • Kick Off: 9:30 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: ESPN

Arizona vs. Alabama Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of Lucky Rebel, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of December 13, 2025 at 12:19 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with and get a $1,250 deposit bonus, as well as 50 slot spins immediately. Lucky Rebel Sportsbook offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.

Spread

  • Arizona -2 (-105)
  • Alabama +2 (-115)

Moneyline

  • Arizona -130
  • Alabama +107

Total

  • Over 177.5 (-107)
  • Under 177.5 (-113)

Make sure your laces are tight, because this is going to be a track meet. Arizona already ranks No. 33 in the nation in terms of pace, averaging 72 possessions per game. Alabama is even quicker, averaging 74.1 trips up and down per game, ranking top 10 in the country. Both offenses are phenomenal, neither team is looking ahead, and I think we see tons of points in this game.

#1 Arizona vs. #12 Alabama NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions

Koa Peat is a stud freshman for the Arizona Wildcats - Arizona Alabama Picks

Koa Peat is a stud freshman for the Arizona Wildcats

Arizona vs. Alabama Prediction: Arizona Wins and Covers, Over 177.5

Best Bet: Arizona ML (-130) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook

I’m still a believer in Arizona, and I am losing faith in the Crimson Tide. Alabama struggles to force turnovers, they don’t get to the free throw line, and they clearly live and die by the three. This team is seventh in the country in 3P Rate, but jump to No. 129 in terms of 3P%. I see them having a tough time stopping Arizona’s big bodies down low, as most of the Wildcats’ points come from inside the arc or the stripe, even though they are top 45 in 3P%. They offensive rebound as good as anyone in the country (No. 9), and are also top 75 in FT Rate defense and offensive rebounds allowed.

If Alabama’s threes aren’t falling, they might not be able to keep up. In their two losses, Alabama shot 16/43 against Purdue and 9/29 (31%) from deep against Gonzaga, losing the rebounding and free throw battle in both games. Tonight, Arizona’s physicality and size win this game for them.

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